The winners of this year’s Labels & Labeling Global Awards were announced on the opening day of LOUPE Americas 2026. The awards brought together industry leaders and visionaries to recognise standout achievements across five categories: Innovation, Sustainability – both converter and supplier categories, Converter of the Year, and Future Leader.
The Innovation award went to AVT for its Helios Varnish Inspection Module, a technology that enables converters to inspect clear varnish during high-speed production. This award recognises a specific, groundbreaking innovation that is new, novel, functional and impactful to the wider label and package printing industries.
In the Sustainability award category, both converter and supplier nominees were considered for products or processes that reduce environmental impact or advance a circular economy.
The Sustainability Converter award was presented to Brook + Whittle for its GreenLabel BlockOut recyclable light-blocking shrink sleeve, which blocks up to 99% of light while keeping containers clear and recyclable.
The Sustainability Supplier award went to Siegwerk for its high-barrier mono-layer polypropylene pouch developed with Enplanter.
Kentucky-based converter Steinhauser won the Converter of the Year award, while the Future Leader award was presented to Rachel Jackson, Vice President of Operations at Columbine Label in Centennial, Colorado.
Chelsea McDougall, Editor, Labels & Labeling, said: “The selection process for this year’s Labels & Labeling Global Awards was especially challenging. We received a high volume of entries that set an exceptionally high bar for innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence across the label and package printing value chain. The winners represent the best of the best in their field, and the recognitions are well deserved.”
Commented Andy Thomas-Emans, Strategic Director, LOUPE Global: “It was a real pleasure to chair this judging panel. The breadth of entries, from breakthrough inspection technologies to recyclable materials and standout converter performance shows an industry innovating at pace and scale highlighting a deep commitment to excellence. Many congratulations to all winners and finalists.”
Caption: